Thursday, May 13, 2010

Kanaka Wai Wai

Ladies,Here is the dance that the women will be performing for the Luau on June 12th. The title of the song is "Kanaka Wai Wai" and it is a beautiful song about the Savior. Nala shows us the movements in the video and the lyrics and translation are below. Good Luck! Shake it!

Ma ke alahele `o IesûOn the road, Jesus

I hâlâwai aku aiMet

Me ke kanaka `ôpio hanohanoWith the dignified young man

Kaulana i ka waiwaiFamous for (his) wealth

Pane mai e ka `ôpio:The youth asked:

"E ku`u Haku maika`i"My good Lord

He aha ho`i ka`u e hana aku aiWhat must I do

I loa'a e ke ola mau?"To be given eternal life?"

"`E hâ`awi, e hâ`awi lilo"Give, give away (all) entirely

I kou mau waiwaiYour riches

Huli a hahai mai ia`uTurn and follow me

I loa`a e ke ola mau iâ `oe"To obtain eternal life for you

Minamina e ka `ôpioThe youth was sorrowful

I kona mau waiwaiOf (losing) his wealth

I ke ku`ai a hâ`awi lilo akuOf selling and giving it all away

I ka po`e nele a huneTo the needy and poor people

Huli a`e `o Iesû lâTurning then, Jesus

Pane aku i ka `ôpio:Replied to the youth:

"`A`ole a`e hiki ke kanaka waiwaiUnable to rise, the young rich man,

I ke Aupuni o ka Lani"To the Kingdom of Heaven

Source: Keola Donaghy, Copyright J. Almeida 1971, Translated by Haunani Bernardino - Based on the parable from Matthew 19:16-24, Almeida composed the music in 1915, for a Mormon church in Honolulu who rejected the song because it sounded too much like a hula. The original chords and music was not the way it is sung today. First recorded in 1946 by John Almeida with the Genoa Keawe trio.